Because the only difference between the Melodic Minor and The Major Scale is one note - the flat 3 - the scale patterns are also similar. So be sure to notice where they are different.

You would use the same patterns for the Melodic Minor modes as well but of course, the tonal centre (root note) will change.

Alternate Fingerings

When using this as The Altered Scale (7th mode) I sometimes move the 3rd note on String 5 onto String 4 (behind the root) because it seems to 'make more sense' under my fingers. I play that moved note and the root with Finger 1.

Memorisation Tips

• Bit of an oddball pattern this, with no easy to remember quirks. Just gotta work that grey matter!

• Can you see the underlying "D Shape" minor barre chord under the scale?

17 Note Patterns

All my Scale Patterns (where possible) have 17 notes (3 notes on each string, except for one string which will have only 2 notes). This gives you the perfect number for practising scales with a metronome because if practised with 4 notes between each metronome click (16th notes, semiquavers) you will always arrive back on the root note on the beat :)

Tips For Learning Scales

ALWAYS START AND END ON THE LOWEST ROOT NOTE
This will help train your ears into hearing the sound of the scale, very important. So start on the lowest (in pitch) root note, play up as far as you can, then go back down as low as you can, and then back up to the root note.
LEARN IT SLOWLY AND GET IT RIGHT
Don't make any mistakes when learning a scale. Play it 10 times perfectly (right notes, right fingering) at a very slow speed and you will find you can speed it up without making mistakes and developing bad habits you will have to correct later.
USE YOUR FINGER TIPS
Do not let your fingers "fold", use the tips the whole time, and definitely NO barres at any point.
However, you do want to allow Finger 1 to rest lightly on all the strings to mute all the strings under it and the tip of Finger 1 should touch the string above (the thicker string) as taught in the String Muting Lesson, part of the Intermediate Course.
LEARN THE PATTERNS (SHAPES) ONE AT A TIME
It is very important that you learn all five of these patterns... eventually! But please learn to make music with them. Much much better to be able to use one scale shape and play a solo than play five up and down and not be able to do make music with them :)